BLACK SABBATH

This debut album by BLACK SABBATH may not display much in the way of complexity and virtuosity, but it definately covers the darker edge of sanity with its musically heavy arrangements and lyrics inspired by a rarely approached topic at that particular time - Satanism and the occult. Anyway, all hype aside, this Blues-based waffle offered an amazing show of sensational Riffs, stone-heavy rhythms and a vocalist who sounded like he really meant what it was he sang. This vocalist, Ozzy Osbourne, doesn't really have the world's best voice, but the somewhat 'wasted' sound of his vocals really delivers the sinister vibe of the compositions perfectly. From the graveyard thunder-storm and churchyard bell sounds which open the album, through to the closing notes of the jammed-out 'Warning', the record takes the listener on an adventure which encompasses the darkest corners of the mind. Of course, this kind of 'evil' is to be taken with a pinch of salt, but it works 100% and paved the way for all the future 'Heavy Metal' and 'Thrash' escapades by any band thereafter. Maybe if it wasn't Sabbath, it may have been someone else (Atomic Rooster, Uriah Heep, Budgie, May Blitz...?) but it wasn't and it remains Sabbath. Sure I ramble, but these guys play with conviction, aplomb and certainly know their instrument's capabilities. Guitarist Tony Iommi creates guitar riffs that would-be guitar heroes possibly die for, Bassist Terry 'Geezer' Butler cranks his instrument up to grungey extremes and Drummer Bill Ward obviously knows how to attack his skins with ferocity and accuracy. All the songs play through fairly evenly, with highlights being 'The Wizzard', and there's something special about 'Evil Woman (Don't Play Your Games With Me)'. This is one amazingly fresh album, and should be respected and enjoyed by all who listen. Masterpiece status from me.